Chapters Chapter 1
Arrival
Nightingale laid her chin to rest atop her hooves. Every muscle in her body ached, screaming for a chance to rest. Not surprising, considering she'd been running all day. The young filly brushed aside a strand of her silvery mane which was seemingly trying very hard to obscure her eyes.
'It's getting late,' she thought to herself, watching Celestia's sun disappear behind the horizon in a magnificent array of colors. Its stunning beauty was lost on little Nightingale however, as soft, nearly unhearable snores escaped her mouth, her small chest rhythmically rising and falling to a steady pace.
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Applejack mindlessly trotted through the still empty streets of the small town, lost in thought. Being a farmpony, she was used to waking up early, and today was no exception. Especially since today was market day, and somepony had to go set up the apple stall. Big MacIntosh was too busy bucking apples and, quite frankly, not a very good salespony. Applebloom was too young and impatient to really be entrusted with it and Granny Smith... Well, they'd be lucky if she even found the right stall. Besides, at her age, she really needs her sleep. So it was up to Applejack to do it. As the mare was walking through the park however, she was abruptly snapped out of her musings.
'Now why would a 'little filly be sleeping all by her lonesome in the park like that?' she wondered to herself. Granted, it had been a warm and beautiful day yesterday, but it didn't explain why the filly was all alone.
'Well, can't hurt to atleast ask,' the mare concluded. She made her way over towards the bench where the azure coated pegasus filly was sleeping, head burried between her hooves and hind legs pulled up to her belly. Applejack gently nudged the filly with her hoof, which only made the ball of hair and feathers in front of her curl up a bit more. After some hesitation, Applejack tried again, albeit a bit harder this time. The filly yawned slightly, sitting upright while sleepily raising a hoof to rub the sleep out of her eyes.
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"Goodmorning sugarcube," the orange earth pony said. "If ya don't mind my asking, what're you doing sleeping on a bench all by yourself?"
The filly was at a loss for words, struggling to find an answer. Her silvery mane was quite short for filly-fashion, although still long enough to cover her left eye completely. Hiding behind it always made her feel a little safer, away from the prying, inspecting eyes of other ponies. Except this time. Feeling the eyes of the other pony going over her body, she couldn't help but feel very self-concious. Her mane was a mess and no doubt covered in dirt , just as her coat was. She didn't get a lot of chances to clean herself up, after all. She remembered trying to comb her hair once using a selfmade brush, made mostly out of twigs. She sighed at the memory. She'd never look as pretty as those canterlot fillies. A subtle cough from the mare in front of her interrupted her thoughts.
"U-uum..." Nightingale stammered. She had no idea what the big, orange earth pony in front of her wanted or why she was even talking to her. Her eyes darted everywhere, desperately looking for a way out. She felt every muscle in her body tense up, ready to run away in the blink of an eye. Her wings fluttered anxiously, useless considering she couldn't even lift herself off the ground, let alone speed away.
"It's alright sugarcube, ah just wanna make sure you're okay, that's all." Her voice was gentle, but Nightingale didn't feel very reassured. No matter how nice they were, grown-ups, or anypony for that matter, couldn't be trusted. Especially strangers. Realizing the mare was still waiting expectantly, she calmed herself down enough to utter a reply.
"I-I'm okay, Miss..."
"Applejack"
"I'm o-okay, Miss Applejack." The filly gulped down the lump that was building in her throat, while she directed her eyes towards her hooves. The orange mare failed to suppress a small chuckle at the filly's behaviour
"Are you sure sugarcube? You don't look too well to me."
"Y-yes Miss Applejack. I-I really should go now. Uum... Have a nice day Miss." And without waiting for a reply, the pegasus darted off as fast as her legs could carry her towards the park entrance. Even once the park was far behind her, she kept running, fear fuelling her every step. Tears trailing behind, glistening unnoticed in the rays of the morning sun.
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Applejack, dazed by the sudden departure, shook her head to try and make sense of what had just happened. Something was off about that filly, but she just couldn't put her hoof on what. The dirt in her coat was strange, but could've easily been a result of playing around in the park. The cutie mark crusaders were the proof of that. They never came home even nearly as clean as they left. She shuddered at the thought. Tree sap didn't come off easy.
Still, in the back of her mind, a little voice kept nagging. Applejack started walking again, continuing her earlier path towards the market.
'Ahm sure she'll be fine. She'll be home lickety-split, and her parents'll take care o' her. No need to worry.'
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Several hours passed by, dreams of gigantic cakes and as many candy as she could eat filling her mind. Being fast asleep as she was, Nightingale failed to hear the sound of several pairs of hooves on the road slowly draw closer to where she was sleeping...
Chapter 2: Trees and birds
Chapter 2
Trees and birds
The sun had nearly reached it's peak for the day as Fluttershy finally finished the last of her morning chores. Returning the broom she was holding in her mouth to it's place in the closet, the timid mare figured she had some time left to take a small break and made her way over to the large green couch in her living room. It might not be the most comfortable couch in Equestria, but it always managed to put her at ease, allowing her to shake off all of her fears and doubts, and simply relax. Fluttershy had come to associate it with home, feeling the rough but oddly comforting texture against her skin. She barely had the time to take all of this in, however, before being disturbed by several loud knocks on the door.
Gulping down the fears and doubts flashing in front of her, Fluttershy got up from the couch to answer the door. Opening it as slow as she could, ready to close it again at the first sign of trouble, she dared a peek outside.
"Howdy Fluttershy. Ah was wondering if maybe you could help me with something?"
Releasing a breath she didn't even knew she was holding, Fluttershy opened the door fully, inviting Applejack to come inside. She knew it was silly of her to be afraid everytime somepony knocked on the door, but somehow she couldn't help it. There was always this nagging little voice of fear in the back of her head. And her cottage being so close to the Everfree forest didn't do much to help the issue.
Applejack trotted inside, followed by an annoyed looking Angel Bunny, who had been shooed out earlier that morning so she could focus fully on her spring cleaning. She made a mental note to give him some extra carrots later, to make up for it.
She walked over to Applejack, who was standing in the center of the recently cleaned living room, a worried look embedded on her face. Angel made himself comfortable on top of the couch, deciding to ignore both ponies and simply continue his nap.
"Is there something wrong Applejack?" Fluttershy said, a hint of worry slipping into her voice.
"It's about something Ah saw this morning. Ah was just wondering if ya really are as good with foals as Rarity told me."
Taken slightly by surprise, Fluttershy hesitated somewhat before answering, raising a hoof to her chin in thought. " Uhm. Well, I think so. I mean, I did pretty well with the cutie mark crusaders. I think. Why?"
"Well, there's this little filly wandering around Ponyville all by her own. Ah think like she's lost or something, dirt in her mane and all. When ah tried talking to her, she ran away. I'm kinda worried about her. Ah mean, ah can't imagine Applebloom being lost somewhere, all on her own. So Ah was kinda hoping you could maybe talk to her or something?" Her voice was calm, but one look at Applejack's eyes revealed just how worries her friend really was.
"Oh. Okay, sure. Do you know where we can find her?" Fluttershy stretched her wings. She wasn't really that good with foals. The cutie mark crusaders had shown her that much. But after how Applejack was behaving, she couldn't really tell her that right now.
"That's the thing, Ah haven't seen her since this morning." Applejack said, the guilty expression on her face deepening somewhat.
"Maybe... Maybe she went home?"
"Maybe... Ah guess." Applejack sighed again, for the umpteenth time since she knocked on the door.
"Don't worry Applejack, I'm sure she's fine. She's probably back home now, with her parents." Fluttershy gave her the most comforting smile she could muster.
"Yeah..." Applejack hung her head dejectedly, a worried look on her muzzle.
Seeing her normally confident and strong friend like this, Fluttershy felt increasingly guilty at being unable to help her. Thus the timid mare decided to change the subject to something she knew the farmpony would enjoy. Sweet Apple Acres. Breaking the uneasy silence that had fallen over them, Fluttershy spoke up.
"Not bad, ah suppose. We're not exactly rollin' in the bits or something, but we manage. Now that ya mention it, Fluttershy, your monthly delivery o' apples is ready for ya to pick up. Still don't quite know why you'd need so many apples..." Applejack raised her head again as she spoke, looking into Fluttershy's eyes. A hint of worry was still lingering behind in her expression, but most of it made room for a new, puzzled look.
"Well, they're mostly for the animals. They eat an awful lot you know." It worked! She nearly squeed as her plan worked.
"Heh, no kiddin'. Mind coming along to the farm to pick up those apples?"
"Sure. Angel, mommy's going to be out for a little while, be nice, okay?"
A white paw rose from her couch for barely a second before disappearing again. Assured the bunny heard her, Fluttershy turned around and opened the door for Applejack before following her outside. The gentle breeze and the warming rays of the sun melting all doubts and inhibitions away, both friends laughed heartily, sharing many jokes and stories on their way to Sweet Apple Acres.
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The young filly instantly tensed up, doing her absolute best to look asleep while her mind raced. If this mare was following her, she couldn't have very good intentions.
'What do I do, what do I do?' Running away was very tempting, but if this mare was following her, she'd probably catch her before she was halfway through the orchard. She certainly didn't lack the muscle and besides, the apples on her flank probably meant this orchard belonged to her, and no doubt she knew exactly how to navigate it.
'Oh no. What if she thinks I'm some kind of apple-thief?' Lost in thought, Nightingale didn't notice the sudden sillence, nor that both mares were looking intently at her. The yellow mare hesitantly closed some distance between herself and the filly and spoke up.
"Uu-um hello?"
Nightingale hit her head on one of the lower hanging branches before roughly landing on the ground again. Rubbing her head with a hoof, she gazed upwards to see the yellow mare flinching back, hastily apologizing.
"I'm sorry, I didn't... I wanted... I-I."
"I-it's alright, miss. Uum." Something about the mare in front of her made her feel at ease. Maybe it was because of the kindness in her eyes. Maybe because of how she seemed to stutter in the same way she did so many times. Or maybe it was because she was yellow. Yellow was her favorite colour after all.
"Hey there sugarcube. Remember me?" Applejack stepped forward as well, but doing so almost immediately caused the filly to flinch back, averting her eyes to the ground and muttering something about apples.
Seeing the filly flinch back, the pink haired mare decided to speak up.
"Don't worry, we're not going to hurt you. We just want to help." A comforting smile accompanied her words.
Something in that mare's voice sounded so soothing, so understanding. Nightingale couldn't help but relax again, her wings wrapping themselves around her body.
"Oh. I-I'm okay, really. Don't worry about me." The biggest lie she ever told. Even she realized the smile on her muzzle was as false and cracked as an earth pony with wings.
"No your not, sugarcube! A little filly walking around town sleeping in the park? That's just dangerous! Where're your parents?" Applejack's voice was tense, laden with concern. The other mare remained quiet, patiently waiting for the filly's reply. A frown started to form on her forehead as she started looking her up and down, making her feel even more uncomfortable.
Eyes shifting between the two mares in front of her, she tensed up completely, wings fluttering so fast they became a blur. Frantically looking for a way out, she raised herself on all four hooves. As soon as she did, the orange mare blocked every path she could possibly take. Sighing in defeat, she sat down again. Her wings fell down to the ground as the tension left her body as instantly as it had come. It was obvious neither of them were just going to let her walk away. And hey, who knows? Maybe this time things would turn out differently.
'And there's always the next town...'
Taking a deep breath, the filly intently observed her own hooves before whispering, quietly, yet loud enough for them both to hear.
"I don't have parents. I'm an orphan."
Chapter 3: A new beginning
Chapter 3
A new beginning
Nightingale braced herself, ready to face whatever came next. Squeezing her eyelids shut, she felt the tears start to come.'I won't cry... Not again.'
She felt hooves close around her, pulling her closer before locking her in a tight, loving embrace. That was all it took to break her, as tears started flooding her cheeks.
"Oh, you poor thing. Don't worry, everything's going to be fine." The tender voice whispered into her ear. The filly finally broke down completely, loud sobs escaping her mouth while her whole body shook.'It's gonna be fine,' The words echoed in her mind.
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'Oh my, she must have been very tired,' Fluttershy thought.
"Poor thing. She must've been running for quite some time."
Her voice finally returning to her, Applejack answered.
"Don't worry Applejack, she can stay with me for a while. I hope she won't mind though."
"Ahm sure she won't. Are you sure though sugarcube? Ah mean, a filly's a lotta responsability." Being the element of honesty, Applejack couldn't resist saying what was on her mind. And a part of her was clearly worried her yellow friend might underestimate what kind of troubles a foal might get into.
"I know Applejack, but I'm sure I can handle it." Her voice was still soft and quiet, but the determined undertone was certainly there. Applejack simply nodded as Fluttershy fluttered back to her cottage.
"Ah'll bring those apples over tomorrow!"
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Continuing on from the desk, she also noticed a small, but very homely fireplace as well as several birdhouses hanging across the room. Light poured into the room from two windows on either side of the bed.'Bed...' Now there was a thought she didn't expect. She was actually laying in a bed, with a blanket and even an actual cushion!
'That confirms it. I'm dreaming.' Content with her sweep of the room, the filly climbed out of the bed and opened the door. Immediately afterwards, she was hit by the full force of a certain delicious smell, accompanied by soft humming and the tweets of many different birds. Slowly descending the staircase, she walked into the next room, which was clearly intended for living in. Several bookshelves as well as a large, green couch circled around a stone fireplace. What stood out most, however, were the numerous animal dwellings, ranging from burrows to even more birdhouses. Her inspection was cut short as she noticed the source of the humming. The yellow mare she had met yesterday was standing in a room next to the one she was standing in, clearly busy with something. Nightingale briefly pondered if she should just leave, but her internal struggle was interrupted when a carrot suddenly hit her right on her muzzle.
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"Now Angel Bunny, that's no way to treat our guest." Angel simply huffed before glaring at the poor filly, who seemed to shrink under his gaze. Seeing this, Angel's glare softened somewhat before he decided to simply ignore the miniature pony.
"I'm so sorry about that, are you okay?" Worry was evident in her voice as she fluttered over to the filly and started inspecting her muzzle. Assured nothing was wrong, Fluttershy took a step backwards to take another look at the still quiet pegasus. She was clearly feeling better, but her coat and mane were still adorned with dirt and twigs. A loud grumble escaped the filly's stomach, causing her to blush in embarrassment and shrink even more.
"I made some breakfast, if you're hungry." The filly's eyes lit up briefly, before she turned them towards the floor.
"I... I'm sorry. I'll go. Thanks for... The bed." she turned around and started moving towards the door. Fluttershy flew over and blocked the way.
"You don't have to go, you know. You can stay here for a while if you want." The mare's voice was full of compassion.
"Really? I mean, it's okay if you want me to go... I won't blame you."
"Really. I want you to stay. After all, I can't let a little filly wander around all alone." She winked. " Now, how about some breakfast?"
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"That was fantastic!" The filly practically shouted in delight. Which brought a smile to Fluttershy's face.
"Glad you liked it. So, you haven't told me your name yet."
"It's Nightingale. Like the bird!" She raised her hooves above her head enthousiastically, flapping them like wings. Apparently forgetting she had wings of her own.
"That's a pretty name. My name's Fluttershy."
Silence fell shortly afterwards, both pegasi unsure of what to say next. So Fluttershy decided to speak up.
"I'll have to feed the animals after breakfast, maybe you could take a bath in the meantime. The bathroom is right next to the room you were sleeping in."
"Uum." The filly seemed hesitant. "I can help you feed the animals, if you want. It's the least I can do!"
Fluttershy smiled. "Thanks, you know what? Why don't you help me after you're done cleaning?"
"Okay! I'll be ready before you know it!"
"Don't worry about it. Take all the time you want. Make yourself at home."
The filly was halfway through the living room when she heard Fluttershy's reply. A huge grin plastered itself on her muzzle as she nearly skipped up the stairs. One thought repeating itself over and over in her head.
'Home...'
Due to medical reasons, I'm afraid I'll be unable to write the next two chapters, I'm sorry. I'll try to get it out fast, but I doubt I'll be able to get a new chapter out this sunday.
Again, I'm really sorry guys.
